CYBERCRIME
What is it? Cybercrime refers
to crime conducted online. It includes tax and welfare fraud, credit
card fraud, and the nondelivery of purchases. It also includes scams,
such as fraudulent investments and online auctions.
How does it affect people? Cybercrime costs the victims
What can you do?
- Be wary! Do not be fooled by professional-looking Web sites, and keep in mind that legitimate financial institutions will not ask you to e-mail highly confidential information. Before buying or investing online, ascertain the company’s reputation.
- Analyze a company and its policies. Ask yourself: ‘What is the company’s physical address? Is the phone number correct? Will my purchase involve hidden costs? When will my order be delivered? Can it be returned or refunded?’
- Be suspicious if an offer looks too good to be true. The greedy and those who want something for nothing are prime targets for online thieves.
IDENTITY THEFT
What is it? Identity theft
involves illegally obtaining and using information about someone else’s
personal identity in order to commit fraud or some other crime.
How does it affect people? Thieves
may use your identity to obtain credit cards or loans or to open new
accounts. Then they rack up debts in your name! Even if you eventually
get the debts canceled, your financial reputation may remain tarnished
for years. A victim said “Having a zero credit rating affects everything
What can you do?
- Protect sensitive information. If you bank or shop online, change your passwords regularly, especially if you have used a public computer. And as mentioned earlier, be highly suspicious of e-mails requesting sensitive personal information.Identity thieves do not use computers only. They try any means they can to get their hands on important documents, such as bank statements, checkbooks, credit cards, and social security numbers. So keep these things safe, and shred all sensitive documents before discarding them. Of course, if you suspect that a document has been lost or stolen, report this immediately.
- Keep track of your accounts. “Awareness is an effective weapon against . . . identity theft,” states the FTC, adding: “Early detection of a potential identity theft can make a big difference.” So check your accounts regularly, and look out for unusual transactions. If possible, get a copy of your credit report from a reputable agency, and note the accounts and credit cards linked to your name.
Of course, in today’s world there are no
guarantees. Even the most cautious individuals have become victims of
crime.
